La1−xEuxFeOs3 nanoparticles: Fabrication via micro-emulsion route for high frequency devices applications

• La1−xEuxFeO3 nanoparticles were prepared by micro-emulsion route.
• XRD and SEM estimate the particles size 20–80 nm.
• Eu3+ substitution greatly reduced the dielectric parameters of LaFeO3 nanoparticles.

Rare earth Eu3+ doped LaFeO3 nanoparticles were prepared via micro-emulsion route in the range of 30–80 nm. The La1−xEuxFeO3 nanoparticles were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TGA data showed about 50% weight loss. XRD patterns confirmed the formation of single phase of orthorhombic in nanocrystalline range (30–80 nm). The cell parameters and subsequently the cell volume were decreased as the La3+ (larger size ions) was replaced with smaller ionic radii Eu3+ ions. The substitution of Eu3+ at La3+ site of LaFeO3 perovskite greatly reduced the dielectric parameters, that are very useful for application of these materials in the devices fabrication required to operate at high frequencies. For example the value of dielectric constant (ε) for LaFeO3 at 3.0 × 106 Hz was reduced from 36.83 to 14.18 for La0.94Eu0.06FeO3. This twofold reduction in dielectric constant strongly suggests the potential application of such materials in high frequency devices.